Game-counter.



No. 818,676. PATENTED APR. 24, 1906. 0. W. FIELD.

GAME COUNTER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNB121905.

ATTORNEYS oTis w. iiELD, oF CHICAGO, iLLlsoIs. Game-COUNTER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

resented April 24, 1906'.

Appumion ma .im 12,190'5. serial ND. 264,911.

To aZZ whom it may concern.'

Y Be it known that I, Oris W. FIELD, a citizenI of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Game-Counter, of which the following is a full,y clear, and exact description;

This invention relates to counters; and it consists, substantially, in the details of construction and combinations of arts hereinafter more particularly describe and pointed out in the claims.

' The invention has reference more especially to counters adapted for use in connection with games, as billiards and the like, and oneof the principal objects thereof is to ro- Vide a device of this kind which is simp e in construction and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, besides being thoroughly effective and reliable in use and possessing the capacit for long and repeated service.

A sti l further object is to overcome numerous disadvantages and objections encountered in the use of many other contrivances hitherto devised with like ends in view.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a broken side elevation of one embodiment of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are enlar ed vertical transverse sectional views of t e device on the lines 2 2 and 3 3, respectively, of Fig. 1 and showing some of the counting members in both raised and lowered positions. Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is an enlarged broken top plan view of a portion of the structure. Fig. 6 is a side view of .a portion of another embodiment of the invention and showing the resetting device in the position to which it is moved to restore the counting members of a series to position after being depressed. Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views representing further modifications of the invention. Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view in perspective indicatin a form of means which may be employe for retaining each of the counting members of the structure in its normal elevated position.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description 1t may be stated that in each of the forms of my improvements hereinshown I employ aspecial casing or supporting frame in which are operatively or anized a plurality'of preferably horizont'ady-alined counting members of special construction, each having independent movement in or on rought to position to indicate or register a particular number of points of the game being played. There may be fifty, one hun dred, or any other desired total number of the counting members employed, which are separately operative from either side of the structure to be displaced for the purpose of indicating or scoring the number of points made by the players, (usually two,) each in his or her turn of play. Said counting members are preferably in duplicate series, (there being a casing or supporting-frame for each series,) and in connection with those of each series I employ a specially-constructed resetting device common to all of them, as will hereinafter appear. Either one or both of the faces of the counting members of the two series may be numbered consecutively in opposite directions, as may alsodthe correspondingvportions of either one, or both,`of the outer faces of the casings or supporting-frames therefor, so as to enable the scores to be at once read'from either side of the structure at a glance, although in certain of the embodiments ofmy improvements herein shown I obtain the same 'result by omitting the numbering from either the counting members themselves or from the said casings or supporting-frames therefor.

In addition to the duplicate series of countdes therefor within the casing, to bel ing members employed for scoring the number of points made by each player in a game I also employ at the end of each of such series a series of auxiliary counters for indicating or scoring the totals of games played, and while I have herein represented my improvements in a certain preferred embodiment it will 'be understood, of course, that I am not limited thereto in precise detail, since immaterial changes therein may be made coming within the scope of my invention.

Reference being had to the drawings by the designating characters therein, and more especially to Flgs. 1 to 5, inclusive, 1 1 represent duplicate parallel members of a casing ICO or supporting-frame for the several operative extended channel between the members. The said members 1 1 are provided at intervals of the inner faces thereof with oppol sitelydisposed guides 4, having spaces therebetween, and the said blocks 2 are cut out to form spaces 6, coinciding with said spaces .5, as shown. Movable vertically between opposite ones of the guides 4 are counting members. 7, each. preferably rectangular in form and provided at its upper extremity with a stem 8, having a curved enlargement 9 at the end thereof, with which a billard-cue or the like may convenientlj7 be broughtinto contact for the purpose of carrying thecounting member downwardly in its guides.

As shown in Fig. 1, the parallel members 1 1 are of the length required for two series of the counting members 7, comprising, say, fifty each, while the said parallel members are preferably further secured together by a straight block 10 and screws 10a, located intermediate ofthe two said series of the counting members, the latter of each series being consecutively numbered outwardly from 1 to 50, inclusive. Each counting member 7 of each series thereof is formed longitudinally of duplicate parts 11, separated by a space 12, extending upwardl within the stem 8 of the member, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) and said parts are connected together at or near the upper inner corners thereof by means of a short rod or pin 13, lboth to secure the parts in rigid relationship with each other and for the coperative action with the member of a resetting device common to all the members of the series to which said member belongs. Said resetting device may be constructed in various ways; but preferably I provide the same with a flat plate 14, slideable longitudinally between the parallel members 1 1 of the casing or frame vthrough `the appropriate ones of the hereinbefore-mentioned spaces 5 and 6, formed between the opposite guides 4 and in the block 2, respectively. The outer edge 15 of the said plate is disposed before the mner end of a longitudinally-extending pin 16, rigidly supported at its outer end in a bearing 17 therefor, secured, by means of screws 18 or in any other suitable Way, to the inner face of-one-of the members 1 at or near the outer end thereof. The pin 16 .is divided for a part of itslength from the free end thereof (see Fig. 5) to form a space 19, into which the adjacent end portion of the said slidable plate may be caused to move, and surrounding the pin and exerting its tension between the adjacent vertical edge of the plate and the bearing 17 is a spiral spring 20. At the outer end portion of each `slidable plate or resetting device 14 is formed a longitudinal slot 21, through which extends 1 a guide screw or pin 22, projecting from the adjacent block 2, (see Fig. 1,) and preferably the plate 1s also formed at another part ofvits jections 26, veach having a vertical edge 27 and an upwardly and inwardly inclined edge 28, intersecting therewithatan angle 29, (see Fig. 1,) it being observed that in the normal positions of the counting members 7 of each set the connecting-rod 13 between the duplicate parts of each member of the set occupies a position directly adjacent to .the vertical edge 27 of one of said upstanding projections 26 at the upper end thereof. It willalso be observed that the parallel members of the casing or frame are formed opposite the opening 25 in each plate 14 with a similar, but longer elongated .o ening 3() yto vpermit of movement of the ibiiliard-cue with the plate.

It will now be :seen vthat the points made by each player of the me may be readily scored aftereach play y simplydepressing or displacing the appropriate counting member 7 of one of the series thereof by means of the end of the billiard-cue applied to the enlarged end of the stem of the member, so as to carrysaid member to the lowered position of some of them, (indicated in Fig. 1,) and then when it is desired to restore all the lowered members of the series to theiroriginal or first position it is simply necessary to insert the end of the billiard-cue in the opening 25 of the proper slidable plate 14through one or the other of the openings 28 in the parallel members of the casing and force-the plate outwardly. On the outward movement of said plate the rods 13 (which now occupypositions within the angles formedbyuthe lower ends of the vertical and inclined edges of adjacent upstanding projections 26 of the plate 14 in question)l of the lowered countingmembers will be caused to ride upwardly on ythe inclined edges of the appropriate upstanding projections 26 of the plate, andthus will these members be elevated. When either plate 14 is forced outwardly, the spring .20 thereforis compressed, as will be apparent, and then on releasing the plate the same is again forced inwardly by the reaction of the spring.

At the outer end of each casing or supporting-frame I also employ a set of auxiliary counting members 31, working in extensions 32 of the casing beween sets of guides 33, corresponding to the guides 4, said auxiliary members being for the :purpose-of scoring or keeping an account of thenumber of games lost by each player,'the'faces thereof, aswell length with another longitudinal slot 23, las the corresponding outer-surface-portions IOO IIO

ofthe said extensions 32, being preferably provided with numerals or other indicating characters, as shown in Fig. 1. The members 31 of each set thereof are ,preferably o era-ted in this instance independently of tllie members 7 of the series correspondin thereto, as Well as independently of cachot er, by which to be depressed or loweredto score the proper number of games played. Instead 0f this embodiment, however, I may include each set of auxiliary counters 31 as a -ractical continuation of the series of mem ers 7, with which they are associated, in which case also the slidable plate 14 for such series of members 7 will be correspondingly extended and formed with additional upstanding projections 26aL for cooperation with said auxiliary members. (See Fig. 6.) In this iigure the slidable bar 14 is shown at the limit of its outward movement or just prior to therelease thereof to be returned to its rstposition by the reaction of its spring 20, which is shown under compression.

In Fi 7 only the outer faces of the parallel mem ers 1 1 ofthe casing or supportingframe are consecutively numbered and the counting members 7a are each constructed of a smaller body, as shown, it being stated that with this form of my invention the number of points scored in a game is determined by the lowered positions of the counting members. v

In Figs. 8 and 9 also only the outer faces of the parallel members 1 1 of the casing or supporting-frame are consecutively numbered, as shown, the counting members 7b (see Fig. 9) each being of such small dimensions as not to be carried beyond the lower edges of said parallel members when deressed or displaced vertically. With this form of my invention the reaching of the number of points scored in a game is also determined by the position of the counting members.

Except in the particulars already noted, the counting members of the embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are otherwise the same in construction as those shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and in cach of the embodiments shown the divided duplicateparts of each of said' counting members-are formed with lateral shoes or extensions 35 for sustaining the member in its normal or upward position by friction against adjacent portions of the inner faces of the parallel members of thecasing, as will be understood.

In Figs. 1 and 5 the extensions 32 at each end of th'e'parallel members of the casing or supporting-frame are preferably secured together by an extra block 36 and fasteningscrews 37, although the same maynot be necessary, and for the purpose of enabling the entire structure to be suspended from an upper support by means of wires or the like the outer faces of said parallel members of the casing or supporting-frame may be provided with eyelets 38, for instance. ,f

By constructing each of the counting members ofthe structure in two parts divided longitudinally by a space, as explainedj, said member is given an inherent resiliency laterally, thus to be self-sustaining between the arallel members of the casing or supportingame, as will be apparent. In Fig. 10 anotherform of counting Vmember 7c is shown, comprising duplicate parts39, separated' by a space, as in the other instance referred to, and a stem 40, pivoted upon a bracket 41, rising from one of the parallel members 1 of the casing or supporting-frame. Within the channel between said parallel members thne lower inturned end 42 of said spring engages with one part of said counting member 39, while its upper end is formed with the bent enlargement 43 for Contact therewith of the billiard-cue to depress the member similarly as in the other embodiments of the invention referred to. In this construction the'parts of the counting member are preferably devoid of lateral shoes or extensions, as shown. Having thus described the invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A game-counter comprising a casing, and counting members normally occupying alined position therein and adapted to be moved therefrom to indicate a score, each of said members being constructed of integrally-connected parts separated by a space and adapted to press against portions of the casing when in said position.

2. A game-counter comprising a casing, counting members normally alined position therein and adapted to be moved therefrom to indicate a score, each of said members being constructed of integrally-connected parts separated by a space and adapted to press against portions of the casing when in said position, and means for simultaneously restoring any number of said `members to normal position after being moved therefrom.

3. A game-counter comprising a casing, counting members normally occupying alined position therein and adapted to be moved therefrom to indicate a score, each of said members being constructed of integrally-connected part-s separated by a space and adapted to press against portions of the casing when in said position, and means for simultaneously restoring any number of Said members to normal position after being moved therefrom, embodying a slidable plate having projections for engaging with portions of the members.

4. A game-counter, comprising countingy TOO occupying Y IXO ISO

moved therefrom to indicate a score, andl alined position therein, each being held 1n.

such position by friction and adapted to be moved therefrom to indicate a score, and means for simultaneously restoring any number of said members to normal position after being moved therefrom, embodying a spring-retracted plate having projections for engagin With portions of the members, and

rovide with an opening for receiving a and-actuating device therefor.

6. A game-counter comprising a casing, counting members normally yoccupying alined position therein and adapted to be moved therefrom to indicate a score, each of said members being constructed of integrally-connected parts separated by a s ace and adapted to press against portions o the casing when in said position, and means forv simultaneously restoring any number of the members to normal' positlon after being moved therefrom, embodying a spring-retracted slidable plate having projections for engaging With portions of the members.

- .7. A game-counter comprising a casing, counting members normally occupying alined position therein and adapted to be moved therefrom to indicate a score, each of said members being constructed of integrally-connected parts separated by a space and adapted to press against portions of the casing when in said position, and means for simultaneously restoring any number ofthe members to normal position after being moved therefrom.

8. A game-counter, comprising a casin constructed of parallel members spaced apart, and counting members normally occupying alined position Within the casing, each adapted to be moved from such position to indicate a score, and each also being constructed of duplicate parts separated from 'each other by a space and having lateral shoes for frictionally engaging with adjacent portions of the inner surfaces of said parallel n'iembers When the counting member norme; position.

9. me-counter ce risa' 'ng e. z construcgtid vof araliei lnpembers t apart, a series o consecutiveiy-num red counting members normally --occup 'ng alined position therein, each being ave ient laterall to press againsteorrespending pertions o the inner faces of'said parallel members, and each. adapted to be moved from such position to indicate'a score, and vs for simultaneously restoring any number of said counting members te normal position after being moved therefrom. Y

10. A game-counter, comprising a ea 'I constructed of arallel members ss apart, a series o: eonsecutiveiynum red counting members normail occupying alined osition therein, eac being construct-edp of dupiicate parts spaced from each other and connected together b reds, 'and each beingadapted to be move from such position to indicate a score, and meansfor restoring any number of said counting members to normal position, after being moved therefrom, embodying a spring-retracted plate having projections each having a straight edge and an inclined edge.

11. A game-counter comprising a easing having a channel, and counting members movable into and out of the channel and provided with stems having curved enlargements extending outside t channel, each of said members being constructed of integrally-connected parts separated by a s ace and adapted to press against ortions of the sides of the channel when t e member is moved into the latter.

12. A game-counter comprising va having a channel, and counting members movable into and out of the channel and provided With stems having curved enlargements extending outside the channel, each member being constructed of integrally-con- 1 neet-ed parts separated by a space and having lateral feet adapted to press against portions of the sides of the channel when the member is moved into the channel. l

In testimony whereof I have signed myl name to this specification in the presence'of two subscribing Witnesses.

' OTIS W. FIELD.

Witnesses: Y

E. A. BLAKELY, JAMES H. YOUNG.

ICO

IOS 

